Above: Inking is a relatively recent measure to minimise allegations of individuals voting more than once.
Having lived outside of Malaysia since attaining adulthood, I’ve never voted here. Today, I exercise my constitutional rights by voting for the very first time in the Malaysian General Elections.
My brother and I arrived at the nearby polling station at a local school at 0650. Officially, they were open from 0730 but we entered the premises as soon as we arrived. From 0700, they started checking us against the electoral roll and asked us to sit on plastic seats in the shade.
Just before 0730, we queued up to cast our votes. An officer checked my identity once again and my hands to make sure we haven’t been inked already. A second officer inked asked me to dip my left index finger into a jar of ink.
I expected liquid ink but was surprised that it was squishy like jelly and somewhat grain-ish. Tissues were supplied and I was required to sanitise my hand before taking the voting form to the booth.
Once I had neatly placed my vote with an “X” on the form, I dropped it into the ballot box. I’ve done it! I’ve exercised my Constitutional Right as a citizen for the first time.
My brother and I had breakfast near Green Road, later joined by my other brother with his wife and daughter.
Breakfast of Sarawak Laksa after voting.
Cakes to follow breakfast.
In the afternoon, I met an acquaintance, Henry for coffee. I bought him coffee as he had been ultra-helpful when I was planning this trip. He remembered me from childhood days but I couldn’t remember him. In our adult lives, I only met him once through a common friend in Sydney. It’s a small world as he knows two of my cousins in Melbourne. We got on so well, we chatted from 1430 till 1930 when the café was preparing to close.